An Objective Look At Issues Without Idol-Worship

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Record Review of the Week


American Beauty, The Grateful Dead (1970)


This album is considered to be the studio masterpiece of the legendary Grateful Dead. It is the perfect follow up to the excellent "Workingman's Dead". Both of these albums are considered to be ahead of their time. Without American Beauty there would be no Phish, no progressive bluegrass, no Jack Johnson or Donovan Frankenreiter. This album launched the Dead into mainstream popularity, it received heavy radio play throughout late 1970. The tracks on this album flow together very nicely. It's perfect for a long road trip, or driving down a dirt road in your truck. Jerry Garcia and the band create an excellent country, folk, rock sound with the use of a pedal steel guitar and a mandolin. If you want to get into the Dead buy this album. I really have no complaints about American Beauty.


Key Tracks: Box of Rain, Friend of the Devil, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple, Truckin

1 comment:

  1. I love this album. I haven't purchased it on vinyl yet, but my wife did give me Workingman's Dead for Christmas.

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